I guess these rules would screw me. I don't have wheels shallower than 60mm. :-). Seriously though, I don't have 202s or a super light bike, but I still do hill climbs. My 17 lb bike is quite the disadvantage compared to a sub-13 pound bike, but the only time I have had a bike weighed was when they weighed everyone's TT bike at master's nationals. I did see any scales the next day for the road race though.

One other advantage of a Merckx TT is that you don't need 2 bikes for a stage race.

I run a summer TT series. This year I put 3 separate Merckx categories in the series and it could possibly go to 4 next year.

Someone earlier said Merckx categories are about participation and testing oneself. That comment was spot on. While some are fiercely competitive, most want a good test and a means to track progress over the season.

The rules for WNTT are simple: Make Eddie proud.

I've had riders toe the line wearing wool jerseys on steel bikes with looping brake cables and downtube friction shifters (but no hair-nets). Yes, some aero parts show up here and there. These days Zipp 303s are becoming some riders' everyday JRA wheels.

We have had a dispute here and there, always in the first weeks of the series. Usually it's a new rider questioning another rider's rule interpretation. I've never had a case not resolved with a few quiet words about sportsmanship and the spirit of the category. Over time riders grow to understand that upgrading to 303s or an aero carbon drop bar won't gain you that minute you need to get on the podium.

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Mark E

Who's getting "high and mighty"? What I said about motivation above applies to me too.

That said...I've actually noticed myself lately having a problem with internal motivation to get myself to start a crit, but once I'm going, the external motivation takes over. TTs have been sort of the opposite...

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http://bikeblather.blogspot.com/

 
>People will still set up a second road bike specifically for TT.

Hey, someone has to be the Fred.

Don't forget that shoes must have laces, no Velcro. Also how about a 15 second bonus for all-steel lugged frame and fork, and an additional 15 if you use friction downtube shifters....

I think they should award an instant win to someone who shows up with holes drilled everywhere in the frame and material milled out of the components - like Merckx used for his hour record.

Assuming they could keep it assembled to the finish, I guess. I think the Mexico City velodrome has a smoother road surface than the typical road-course tt...